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Dermatology
> Cosmetic
Procedures > Restylane
What
is Restylane?
Restylane is a safe and natural cosmetic dermal filler that
restores volume and fullness to the skin to correct moderate
to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial
folds.
Is Restylane safe?
Yes. Restylane has been used safely by dermatologists and
plastic surgeons since 1996 worldwide. Because Restylane is
non-animal-based and fully biocompatible, allergy testing is
not required. There is virtually no risk of animal-based
disease transmission or allergic reaction. The most commonly
reported side effects were temporary redness and swelling at
the injection site. These effects typically resolve within
two to three days.
How is Restylane different from
Botox?
Restylane is a natural cosmetic filler. In contrast,
Botox is a drug that blocks nerve transmission and relaxes
the underlying muscles. Many patients have been very pleased
after receiving treatment with both products.
What is Restylane made of?
Restylane is the first and only cosmetic dermal filler made
of non-animal-based hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a
natural substance that already exists in the human body and
is used to provide volume and fullness to the skin. The
hyaluronic acid in Restylane is a crystal-clear gel called
NASHA, or Non-Animal Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid. NASHA is
biodegradable and completely biocompatible with human
hyaluronic acid.
How is Restylane different than other hyaluronic
acid-based products?
Unlike other hyaluronic acid-based products, such as those
made from rooster combs, only Restylane is non-animal-based.
This quality virtually eliminates any risk of animal-based
disease transmission or allergic reaction.
How long does Restylane last?
Studies have shown that the average treatment results last
up to six months or even longer. The unique NASHA™
technology helps maintain the cosmetic effect until the
injected material is nearly gone.
Now that you have the answers to some important
questions, why wait?
If you want to enjoy a smoother, more youthful appearance
for up to six months, or even longer,
ask your physician if Restylane is right for you. The
simple procedure can be done during your lunch hour. And the
effects are immediate.
RESTYLANE is a crystal-clear, non-animal, biodegradable
gel based on a natural substance, called hyaluronic acid.
The gel is injected into the skin in tiny amounts with a
very fine needle. The result is instantaneous and produces a
long-lasting, natural enhancement, gentle and safe to your
skin.
Restylane compared to other treatments:
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Description |
Procedure |
Safety |
Duration |
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Botulinum Toxin Type A |
Botulinum
Toxin Type A is a toxin that blocks neuromuscular
transmission when injected in tiny amounts into
specific muscles to treat and improve lines and
wrinkles associated with facial expression.
Manufactured under the names of
Botox© and Dysport© |
Botulinum toxin is injected in minute quantities.
It blocks the nerve impulses to the facial muscles
responsible for contraction, thereby relaxing the
muscles and smoothing facial lines. It is most
effective on frown lines and crow's feet around
the eyes. Accurate dosing and precise positioning
are critical in order to freeze the right muscles
just enough.
The treatment takes about 30
minutes and the effect of a treatment can be seen
within 1 - 2 weeks. |
The long-term risks of botulinum toxin are
unknown. Redness may occur, as well as bruising,
numbness, swelling and headaches. If overdosed or
the injection is performed incorrectly, the
patient can be left with an immobile face or
droopy eyelids until the effect of the injection
wears off. |
The result lasts for about four
months. |
|
Collagen treatment |
Collagen is
derived from the hides of cows specially bred for
the purpose. Collagen can also be derived from pig
skin. Because collagen is an animal product, a
collagen test skin implant is administered to
determine whether the patient is allergic to the
implant, four weeks prior to the treatment.
Collagen is manufactured under
many names, two of which are Zyderm and Zyplast.
|
Collagen can be injected under the skin to fill
lines and wrinkles. It is also used for lip
enhancement.
The treatment takes less than an
hour. |
Redness and swelling may occur. Allergic reactions
are possible in 3-4% of patients. |
The effect normally lasts for three
to four months. |
|
Stabilized Non-Animal Hyaluronic acid gel (NASHA) |
Hyaluronic
acid is a substance that exists naturally in the
body. Its most important function is to carry and
bind water. Non-animal, stabilized hyaluronic acid
(NASHA) does not contain animal protein and does
not require a skin test prior to treatment.
NASHA is a unique form of
hyaluronic acid, manufactured under the name of
RESTYLANE. |
RESTYLANE is designed for different purposes and
effects, from reducing wrinkles and folds to
enhancing facial contours and sculpting lips. The
treatment often takes less than half an hour.
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Injection-related adverse reactions such as
swelling, redness and tenderness might occur.
Other adverse reactions are very rare. |
The result is immediate and can
last from 6 - 12 months, depending on the patient
and the area that is being treated.
Wrinkle treatment tends to last
from 6 - 12 months and lip enhancement for around
6 months. |
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Other
Hyaluronic acid products |
In addition to
RESTYLANE, a range of hyaluronic acid treatments
is available. Some of these products are derived
from cockscombs bred especially for this purpose.
Hyaluronic acid is manufactured
under the names of Hylaform, Juvederm, Rofilan and
AcHyal. |
Hyaluronic acid is used to treat lips, wrinkles
and facial lines. The treatment takes less than an
hour to perform. |
Swelling, redness and tenderness may occur at the
site of injection. |
The duration varies depending on
the type of product, the condition of the patient
and the area being treated. |
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Permanent/semi-permanent skin implants |
Permanent and
semi-permanent skin implants contain a range of
different synthetic ingredients to make the
product last longer.
Permanent and semi-permanent
skin implants are manufactured under the names of
Artecoll, Dermalive, NewFill, Evolution, Outline
and Amazingel. |
These products are used to fill lines and wrinkles
and to augment lips by injection. Some of the
products require at least two treatment sessions.
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For some of the products, very little or no safety
data at all are available. Immediate reactions
include redness and swelling at the injection
site. Longer-term reactions are also known to
occur over time. They include permanent redness,
inflammation, lumpiness, skin discoloration or
granulomas. |
The duration differs between the
products. Some claim to last for ever, while
others offer a sustained improvement for up to
twelve months. |
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Fat
injections / liposculpture |
Fat injections or
liposculpture are performed using the patient's
own fat cells (autologous fat) taken from unwanted
fat deposits. There are many variables in this
treatment, including the way the fat is extracted,
whether frozen or fresh fat is used, the area that
is injected, the amount of fat that is used and
how deeply the fat is injected. |
The fat is injected under the skin to treat hollow
cheeks, to enhance lips or cheeks or to treat deep
folds. The procedure is performed under local
anaesthesia and can take from less than one hour
to several hours. |
Some lumpiness can occur, in addition to
injection-related reactions. If the patient puts
on weight, the injected area can become enlarged,
which may not be desirable. |
The reported duration varies from a
few months to several |
Restylane Injections

Restylane®
is a cosmetic dermal filler made of hyaluronic acid, a
natural substance that already exists in the human body. The
hyaluronic acid in Restylane
is a crystal-clear gel called NASHA™ or Non-Animal
Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid. NASHA is completely
biocompatible with human hyaluronic acid.
Restylane
maintains its shape using the body's own moisture. The
hyaluronic acid in Restylane
is hydrophilic or "water loving." As hyaluronic acid
gradually degrades, each molecule binds to more water and
over time, the same volume can be maintained with less
hyaluronic acid. This ability of hyaluronic acid to bind to
water is what helps provide lasting results.

Unlike rooster-derived hyaluronic acids and bovine collagen
products, Restylane is free
from animal proteins. This limits any risk of animal-based
disease transmissions or development of allergic reactions
to animal proteins.*
Restylane is primarily used for lip enhancement (especially
to prevent lipstick “bleeding”) and wrinkle correction.
Performed in 30-minute sessions, Restylane treatments are
long lasting and can be repeated as necessary, typically
every six to 12 months.
Ned Snyder IV, MD
/ Plastic Surgery
Renee
Snyder, MD / Dermatology
901 West
38th Street, Suite 410
Austin,
Texas 78705
Phone:
512-533-9900
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